March 17, 2017 - Posted in This Week in South Carolina by Gavin Jackson

This week at the South Carolina State House lawmakers gave key approval to the state's budget, an infrastructure spending plan, and one lawmaker faced three charges stemming from an ongoing corruption probe aimed at the General Assembly.

- House lawmakers approved the $8 billion state budget and sent it to the Senate early Wednesday morning. The budget includes millions to fix the state pension system, cover Hurricane Matthew recovery costs, and boosts education funding across the state.
- The Senate Finance Committee approved the House roads bill and increased it to an $800 million annual revenue source funded by a 12-cent per gallon gas tax increase over the next six years and other vehicle-related fees. It should hit the Senate floor, and some opposition, next week.
-A bill, S. 255, dealing with disclosures involving so called "dark money" used by political groups to influence elections stalled in a Senate subcommittee.
-Senate Education Committee Chairman John Courson, R-Columbia, became the second lawmaker indicted in an ongoing State House corruption investigation on Friday. Courson was charged with two counts for misconduct in office and one for converting campaign cash for personal expenses.